[0001] This invention relates to new derivatives of a polyether-type antibiotic K-4l. It
also provides a miticidal composition and an anti-coccidial composition containing
the K-41 derivative or the salt as active ingredient. Further, it provides a method
for protecting plants and animals from attack by mites and a method for protecting
domestic animals and poultry from coccidiosis.
[0002] The antibiotic K-41 is produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus K-41. The process for
the production and the physicochemical properties have been disclosed in Japanese
Patent Publication No. 21007/1977. The chemical structure was determined by X-ray
analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum (J. C. S. Chem. Comm. 1978, 6
82-68
3). Additionally, K-4l has excellent miticidal and anti-coccidial activities and can
be used as active ingredient in miticidal compositions and anti-coccidial compositions
(Japanese Patent Publication (Unexamined)
Nos. 20420/1978 and 27115/1980).
[0003] The hydroxy group at C(2) position of K-4l can be easily esterified to give K-41.C(2)
ester of the general formula I:

wherein Me is methyl and R is C
1-4 alkyl, phenyl-C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro.
[0004] The K-4l.C(2) esters represented by the above formula I are new compounds. Both p-bromobenzoate
and p-chlorobenzoate of K-4l, however, have been known and disclosed in J. A. C. S.
Chem. Comm. 1978, 682-683.
[0005] In the above definition, "C
1-4 alkyl" means straight or branched C
1-4 alkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl. "Phenyl-C
1-4 alkyl" means an alkyl substituted with phenyl at an optional position of the alkyl,
e.g. benzyl, phenethyl. "C
1-4 alkoxy" includes e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy. "Phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy" means alkoxy substitued with phenyl at any optional position, e.g. benzyloxy,
phenylethoxy, phenylpropoxy.
[0006] Phenyl may be substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen and nitro. They are exemplified by o-, m-, or p-tolyl, p-ethylphenyl,
p-propylphenyl, p-isopropylphenyl, 2,4-dimethylphenyl, 2,5-dimethylphenyl, p-methoxyphenyl,
p-bromophenyl, p-chlorophenyl, 3,5-dichlorophenyl, p-iodophenyl, p-nitrophenyl.
[0007] Preferred R for miticidal activity is C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl and C
1-4 alkoxy- phenyl. More preferably R is methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, benzyloxy, phenyl
and p-methoxyphenyl, especially, methyl, ethyl, and phenyl.
[0008] Preferred R for anti-coccidial activity is phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl or.. substituted phenyl, especially benzoyloxy, phenyl, C
1-4 alkyl phenyl or halogenophenyl. More preferably R is phenyl, C
1-4 alkylphenyl, or halogenophenyl. Favourably C
1-4 alkylphenyl is tolyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl or isopropylphenyl, especially p-tolyl,
p-ethylphenyl, p-propylphenylor p-isopropylphenyl. FavourablY halogenophenyl is chlorophenyl
or bromophenyl, especially p-chlorophenyl or bromophenyl.
[0009] The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of K-41. C(2) esters can also be used in this
invention. They are organic or inorganic salts commonly used in the agrochemical field
such as sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium, iron salts.
[0010] The K-41 Derivatives of this invention can easily be prepared by conventional esterification,
namely, acid halide reaction, acid anhydride reaction and the like.
[0011] Acid chloride or acid anhydride having a desired acyl group may preferably be used
to react with K-41. The reaction is carried out at room temperature or under cooling,
if necessary, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, pyridine, sodium hydrogencarbonate
and so on. The reaction can be carried out in an appropriate inert solvent. The solvents
to be used are those usually used in esterification, for example, ethers (e.g. ether,
tetrahydrofuran, dioxane), hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene), halogenohydrocarbons
(e.g. methylene chloride).
[0012] The thus-obtained K-4l.C(2) esters including p-bromobenzoate and p-chlorobenzoate
have miticidal and anti-coccidial activities. They are advantageously utilized as
active ingredients of miticide
s. The effect is expected to continue for a long time when they are sprayed on field
crops, since they are stable to oxidation and are decomposed slowly.
[0013] The results of tests of miticidal and anti-coccidial activites are shown below. Sodium
salts of K-4l.C(2) esters;.are used in the tests.
(1) Miticidal Activity
[0014] Test Method: Each test compound (25 mg) was dissolved in dimethyl formamide (0.5
ml). To the solution was added distilled water (30.7 ml) in a concentration of 800
ppm. The 800 ppm solution was diluted to obtain a solution in a desired concentration.
A disc of 2 cm in diameter prepared from the first leaf of a kidney bean was placed
on a 0.25 % agar gel plate, infested with about 15 female adults of Tetranvchus cinnabarinus
and kept at 25°C overnight. After dead and weak adults were removed, 2 ml of a test
solution in a desired concentration were applied on each disc with a sprayer. The
discs were kept at 25°C and number of dead adults were counted after 24 and 48 hours,
respectively. Test Result: The result is shown in Table 1.
[0015]

(2) Anti-coccidial Activity
a. Effect on Eimeria tenella
[0016] Test Method: The chickens, 8-day old broiler chanky, were divided into groups of
three birds and infected with 5 x 10
4 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella per chicken. The birds were fed with standard
feed for chickens (Nihon Haigo Shiryo Co.) mixed with a test compound for 9 consecutive
days from the day before the infection.
[0017] On the 8th day from the infection, the birds were anatomized and caecal lesions were
observed. The number of bloody droppings, survival ratio, number of oocysts and caecal
lesion score were observed.
[0018] Test Result: The result is shown in Table 2.
b. Effect on Eimeria acervulina
[0019] Test Method: The chickens, 8-day old broiler chanky, were divided into groups of
three birds and infected with 5 x 10 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria acervulina. The
birds were fed with standard feed for chickens (Nihon Haigo Shiryo Co.) mixed with
a test compound for 6 consecutive days from the day before the infection. The birds
were anatomized on the 5th day after infection. The number of bloody droppings, survival
ratio and number of oocysts were observed. Test Result: The result is shown in Table
3.

[0020] The K-41 Derivatives of this invention have miticidal activity as shown above and
can be applied to prevent and kill mites on field crops, domestic animals and poultry,
for example, Family Tetranychidae: e.g. Tetranychus telarius, Panonychus citril, Panonychus
ulmi, Eotetranychus sexma- culatus, Eotetranychus kankitus, Tetanychus viennensis,
Tetranychus urticae, Bryobia praetiosa, Bryobia rubrioculus, Eotetranychus smithi,
Tetranychus kanzawai; Family Tenuipalpidae: e.g. Brevipaltus lewisi, Tenuipalpus zhizhilashviliae
; Family Eriophyidae: e.g. Aculus pelikassi, Calepitrmerus vitis; Family Acarida:
e.g. Rhiizoglyphus echinopus, Family Ixodidae; Family Pyroglyphidae.
[0021] K-41.C(2) Esters of the above formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts
(e.g. sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, iron salts and the like) are
used as active ingredient of miticidal composition singly or as a mixture. The miticidal
composition comprises a. miticidally effective amount of a K-41.6(2) ester or the
salt as active ingredient. The composition may contain about 0.01 weight percent to
about 90 weight percent of a K-41.C(2) ester or its salt as active ingredient. A K-41.C(2)
ester is mixed with suitable carriers and formulated as emulsions, solutions, wettable
powders, dust, granules, ointments, aerosols and the like. The compound is, for example,
homogeneously dissolved in hydrocarbon (e.g. benzene, xylene, toluene, naphtha,
or alcohol (e.g. methanol, ethanol,
with suitable surfactants to obtain an emulsion or a solution. It is mixed with mineral
powder (e.g. talc, clay, bentonite, pyrophyllite, diatomaceous earth), and suitable
surfactants or dispersants homogenized and crushed to fine powder to give a wettable
powder. Thus prepared compositions are diluted with water to a desired concentration
and sprayed. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be diluted with mineral powder,
homogeneously blended, crushed and used as dust. The compositionscan be combined with
other agrochemicals, e.g. insecticides, sterilizers, herbicides, plant-growth regulators,
other miticides and the like. Further,the
y can also be mixed with nutrients, external
animal drugs, repellent and the like.
[0022] The method for protecting plants and animals from attack by mites comprises applying
the composition which contains a K-41.C(2) ester or the salt as active ingredient
as noted above. The miticidal compositions containing K-41.C(2) ester or the salt
as active ingredient are sprayed onto soil and leaves and applied to animal and poultry
houses by residual spraying or to animalsand poultry by local application in accordancewiththe
growth ofthe objective mites. The amount of the composition applied to mites on plants
usually ranges from about 10 g to 100 g of active ingredient per 10 ares though the
amount varies depending on the subject to be treated and the season of application.
The amount usually ranges from about 1 to 200 ppm when the composition is applied
to mites parasitic to animals.
[0023] The K-41.C(2) esters or salts, when used as active ingredient in anti-coccidial compositionscan
be used-singly or in admixture with suitable carriers utilized in this field. The
composition comprises an anti-coccidially effective amount of a K-41.C(2) ester or
the salt as active ingredient. Practically, it may comprise as active ingredient about
0.01 weight percent to 90 weight percent of a K-4l.C(2) ester or salt. Additionally,
disintegrating agents, lubricants, stabilizers, flavourings, wetting agents, coloring
agents, preservatives, aromatics and the like may be added, if necessary, to obtain
powders, dusts, granules, solutions, suspensions, premixes, capsules, emulsions, tablets,
and the like. Carriers are selected from those commonly used in poultry drugs, for
example, water, lactose, sucrose, talc, colloidal silica, soybean brewer's grain,
starch, yeast, wheat, defatted rice bran, defatted soybean, corn, wheat bran and other
commercially available feed for domestic animal and poultry.
[0024] The method for protecting domestic animals poultry from coccidiosis and treating
them for it is as follows: The anti-coccidial composltion can be mixed with feed or
drinking water and administered. Alternatively, it can be orally administered to domestic
animals and poultry without the diluting process. The composition is preferably applied
to domes tic poultry (e.g. chickens, ducks, turkeys),
[0025] especially chickens. Solutions, suspensions, emulsions and the like are conveniently
used for mixing with feed and drinking water. Capsules and tablets are suitable for
oral administration. K-4l Derivative is added to feed in a proportion of about 0.001
to 0.05 weight percent and mixed in drinking water in a proportion of about 0.0005
to 0.03 weight percent. It is orally administered about 20 to 200 mg/kg body weight
at a time. The dosage noted above varies depending on the applied subject, purpose,
seriousness of coccidiosis and the like.
[0026] Besides, other anti-coccidial agents for domestic animals and poultry, parasiticides
and the like can be mixed with the present composition, if desired.
[0027] The following examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not
construed as limitations of the present invention.
Example 1
[0028] Sodium salt of K-41 (987 mg) is dissolved in dry pyridine (5 ml) and benzoyl chloride
(128 µl) is added thereto at room temperature under stirring within 5 minutes. The
mixture is left to stand for 3 hours and evaporated after addition of some pieces
of ice. The resultant colorless viscous oil is dissolved in benzene (15 ml), washed
with 5 % tartaric acid, water, a saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution, water,
and a saturated sodium chloride solution successively, dried over sodium sulfonate
and evaporated. The product, colorless viscous oil, is recrystallized from benzene-hexane
to give sodium salt of K-41.C(2) benzoate (968 mg) as colorless crystals. (Yield 90
%). Mp, 188-190°C (decomp.).
[0029] Anal. Calcd. for C
55H
85O
19Na: C, 61.55; H, 7.98; Na, 2.14 % Found : C, 61.72; H, 8.31; Na, 2.06 %
[0030] IR spectrum: See Fig. 1.
Example 2
[0031] Sodium salt of K-41 (987 mg) is dissolved in dry pyridine (5 ml) and acetic anhydride
(10
4 µl) is added thereto at room temperature under stirring for 5 minutes. The mixture
is left to stand for 4 hours and then treated in the same manner as in Example 1.
Recrystallization from benzene-hexane gives sodium salt of K-41.C(2) acetate (916
mg). (Yield 90 %). Mp. 184-185°C (decomp.).
[0032] Anal. Calcd. for C
50H
83O
19Na: C, 59.39; H, 8.27; Na, 2.27
[0033] Found : C, 59.29; H. 8.45; Na, 2.01 IR spectrum: See Fig. 2.
Example 3
[0034] Sodium salt of K-41 (987 mg) is dissolved in dry pyridine (5 ml) and methyl chlorocarbonate
(115 µl) is added thereto with stirring under ice-cooling within 2 hours. The mixture
is kept under ice-cooling for 4 hours and then treated in the same manner as in Example
1 to give colorless viscous oil (1.27 g). The product, crude K-41.C(2) methoxycarbonate
(2.48 g), is applied to column chromatography on silica gel and eluted with chloroform:acetonitrile
(2:1), and fractions of 15 g each are obtained. Fractibn Nos. 9-15 are collected and
evaporated to give sodium salt of K-41.C(2) methoxycarbonate (1.62 g) as colorless
powder. (Yield 79 %). Mp. 172-173°C (decomp.).
[0035] Anal. Calcd. for C
50H
83O
20Na.3H
2O:
Calcd. : C, 55.54; H, 8.30; Na, 2.13
Found : C, 55.54; H, 8.06; Na, 2.30
[0036] IR spectrum: See Fig. 3.
Example 4
[0037] Sodium salt of K-41 and a desired acid chloride are made to react at room temperature
in the same manner as in Example 1 and evaporated. The resultant residue is purified
in the same manner as in Example 1 or 3 to give the following compounds.
[0038]

Example 19
[0039] Ten weight percent sodium salt of K-41.C(2) acetate, 40 wt. % xylene and 50 wt. %
polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether are homogeneously mixed to give an emulsion, which
is suitably diluted and sprayed.
Example 20
[0040] Fifteen weight percent K-41.C(2) propionate, 80 wt. % diatomaceous earth, 2 wt. %
lignine sulfonate and 3 wt. % alkyl benzenesulfonate are homogeneously mixed and finely
crushed to give a wettable powder, which is suitably diluted when applied.
Example 23
[0041] Three weight percent K-41.C(2) ethoxycarbonate and 97 wt. % talc are homogeneously
mixed and crushed to give a dust.
Example 22
[0042] Ten weight percent sodium salt of K-41.C(2) benzoate and 90 wt. % lactose are well
mixed to give a 10-fold diluted powder, which is diluted with feed at a concentration
ranging from 0.001 % to 0.05 % of active ingredient when applied.
Example 23
[0043] Twenty-five weight percent sodium salt of K-4l. C(2) p-chlorobenzoate and 75 wt.
% wheat flour are well blended to give a dust, which is diluted with feed at a concentration
ranging from 0.001 % to 0.05 % of active ingredient when applied.
Example 24
[0044] One weight percent of sodium salt of K-41.C(2) p-bromobenzoate and 99 wt. % lactose
are well blended to give a 100-fold diluted powder, which is diluted with water at
a concentration ranging from 0.005 % to 0.03 % of active ingredient.
Example 25
[0045] Forty-five weight percent K-41.C(2) p-toluate, 12 wt. % sucrose, 15 wt. % starch,
25 wt. % talc, 2 wt. % magnesium stearate and 1 wt. % stearic acid are blended and
formulated to give tablets.
Example 26
[0046] Sodium salt of K-41.C(2) p-ethylbenzoate is used instead of K-41.C(2) benzoate in
Example 22.
Example 27
[0047] Sodium salt of K-41.C(2) m-toluate is used instead of sodium salt of K-41.C(2) benzoate
in Example 24.
1. K-41.C(2) esters of the formula:

wherein Me is methyl and R is C
1-4 albkyl, phenyl-C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkox
y, phenyl-C
l-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro except for p-bromo.and p-chloro and the pharmaceutically
acceptable salt. 2. The compound claimed in claim 1, wherein R is phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group consisting
of C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro except for p-bromo and p-chloro.
3. The compound claimed in claim 1, wherein R is phenyl, C1-4 alkylphenyl, and halogenophenyl.
4. The compound claimed in claim 3, wherein R is tolyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl,
or isopropylphenyl.
5. The compound claimed in claim 4, wherein R is p-tolyl, p-ethylphenyl, p-propylphenyl,
or p-isopropylphenyl.
6. A miticidal composition which comprises a miticidally effective amount of a K-41.C(2)
ester of formula I or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

wherein Me is methyl and R is C
1-4 alkyl, phenyl-C
1-4 alkyl C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C
1-4 alky, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro.
7. A miticidal composition which comprises as active ingredient about 0.01 weight
percent to 90 weight percent of K-41.C(2) ester of formula I or the pharmaceutically
acceptable salt.

wherein Me is methyl and R is C
1-4 alkyl, phenyl-C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, prehyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro.
8. The miticidal composition claimed in claim 6, wherein R is C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with Cl-4 alkyl.
9. The miticidal composition claimed in claim 6, wherein R is methyl, ethyl, methoxy,
ethoxy, benzyloxy, phenyl, or p-methoxyphenyl.
10. The miticidal composition claimed in claim 6, wherein R is methyl, ethyl, or phenyl.
11. A method for protecting plants and animals from attack by mites which comprises
applying the composition as defined in claim 6 to the plants and animals.
12. An anti-coccidial composition which comprises an anti-coccidially effective amount
of a K-41.C(2) ester of formula I or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt as active
ingredient.

wherein Me is methyl and R is C
1-4 alkyl, phenyl-C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro.
13. An anti-coccidial composition which comprises as active ingredient about 0.01
weight percent to 90 weight percent of K-41.C(2) ester of formula I or the pharmaceutically
acceptable salt.

wherein Me is methyl and R is C
1-4 alkyl, phenyl-C
1-4 allcyl, -C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl-C
1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substi- tuted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 alkoxy, halogen, and nitro.
14. The anti-coccidial composition claimed in claim 12, wherein R is phenyl-C1-4 alkoxy, phenyl, or phenyl substituted with 1 to 3 groups selected from the group
consisting of C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, halogen and nitro.
15. The anti-coccidial composition claimed in claim 12, wherein R is phenyl, C1-4 alkylphenyl and halogenophenyl.
16. The anti-coccidial composition claimed in claim 12, wherein R is tolyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, or isopropylphenyl.
17. The anti-coccidial composition claimed in claim 12, wherein R is p-tolyl, p-ethylphenyl,
p-propylphenyl, or p-isopropyl phenyl.
18. The anti-coccidial composition claimed in claim 12, wherein R is chlorophenyl
or bromophenyl.
19. The anti-coccidial composition claimed in claim 12, wherein R is p-chlorophenyl
or p-bromophenyl.
20. A method for protecting domestic animals and poultry from coccidiosis which comprises
applying the composition claimed in claim 12 to the animalsand poultry.